The flight from L.A. to Philadelphia also carried the remains of a fallen Marine home to his family.

The flight was full, and the Air stewards looked for volunteers to give up their seats, so that he could be brought home as quickly as possible. Just like in the movie.

You never think about how those who die fighting for their country get home. But it is nice to think that they are brought with as much dignity and respect as is humanly possible.

But, still you cry. For the life lost. For the family waiting. For the man in the belly of the plane, with the random detritus of life that people choose to stuff into suitcases and bring half way around the world with them.

Tears flow. But you have a small boy to entertain. And you need to keep him quiet for the minute of silence. So you bite back the tears as best you can. Only for the tears to start again at random points throughout the flight.

Journeys like this happen everyday. Without note.

As the film shows and I witnessed, people do take note. They cry for the fallen. They stop. They show their respect in whatever way they can.

I wanted to go up to the Marine sitting near us and thank him for chaperoning his fallen comrade on his way home to his family, but I couldn’t. My voice wouldn’t work.

With all the riots in England at the moment, more people should stop and think about stuff like this – the sacrifices some make to keep their countries safe. Makes the fact that some choose to destroy their own cities even more shameful. Lovely post x